@Rouxtjie had the solution. He phoned me, mentioned free beer and a tire that won't go on the rim and I was at his house in 5min. We also used those green crow bars, work like a bomb. Stans tape should work well although there are many other backyard methods like cutting duct tape and even in emergency situations insulation tape.
When I met the GF she had a Giant Rincon that was an XL size. Didn't take me long before she bought a gary fisher of which to her supprise started getting loads of upgrades until everything had been replaced. She even tells me we have to get onto CRC as she needs more stuff.... Although i think having a braai last night at a mates house we talked a little over her head with all the bike pimping plans. Seems a new SS bike is being born and we all know what goes with an SS bike. Serious pimping @Rouxjie can't wait to get shopping
I got divorced (ok was not the real reason) but I just found the last 2 years I hardly rode. Was easier not to ride than get the dirty looks. Result was 14kg heavier and many huge bar bills...... Ok so the bar bills have hardly stopped but I am way lighter and got a GF that loves riding.... climbing, hiking, drinking beer
I will be round but after 5 as i will be riding my SS back from work. Going to test the commute out tomorrow. Don't drink all he cold beers before i get there
I will bet the 26inch will fade away and we will be left with 650b and 29er. They can't keep producing 3 forks, 3 different wheel sizes, 3 different tire sizes etc.
lets extend this to runners as well. This morning 3 abreast runners on the road in the dark, inner 2 had lights and reflective (lucky so i picked them up quick) but the outer guy had no reflective tape etc or lights. They took up the whole side of the road were running towards me in my lane and as I got closer none of them moved out the road I had to drive into the other lane to pass them.......... and we get angry when motorist shout and scream at us..... #SIGH
Big up to the newbie's that are buying bikes and getting started. Hope this thread does not put you off. We all started somewhere. @HappyMartin you have a good point. The aggression on the trails is becoming quite shocking. Been a while since I did a main stream race and it is crazy how the A batch guys start. Shoving pushing for that one position in the first 5km of a 70km race. 2 guys started throwing handbags at each other at one river crossing because one guy walking in front of the other. What happened to people racing but also asking people if they are ok when they have technicals etc. Unless your going to be in the top 10 then there is no need to be this aggressive. Seems we are starting to treat MTB like the way people drive on the roads. Must get that one position ahead at all costs.........
I am still waiting for my quote from 2006. went in and asked for a bike which was going to be worth R30k (quite a bit in 2006). They said they woul spec it for me and get back. Nothing a week later. So I went back and they even managed to convince me to build a bike with the BMC frame hanging on the wall. They would get back to me the next day on the cost. Still nothing to this day. Well a few days later I walked into westrand cycles and within 1 hr had bought a merida team carbon bike. Last time I went back I managed to walk around the shop look at bikes and walk out with out being noticed. Must have been in there 10 minutes........
My dad used the thin Rons as tubeless. Lasted 2 months on the one tire before it got a big cut so he replaced it. The Ralphs are soft rubber. I have the snakeskins. It has sorted the sidewalls for sure but the tread area looks like swiss cheese from thorns and cuts, although i will admit the tire has not gone down. A duel sus may be a bit more gentle on the rear tire than a HT bike. Great tires but not if you want something that lasts a while.
A few years back we were doing a dullstroom training camp. I remember seeing about 5 guys all slip streaming The "Racing Raplh" all looking like they were battling to keep up. Put a huge smile on my face... testosterone at it best slowly failing
What type of riding do you want to do. merida 120, Zula etc is more heading to the trail type. Is that what type of riding you are after or something more on the marathon range? Work this out before you just jump in and buy a bike.
the trails get very congested especially on single track which is something you don't get on road races hense the limited numbers. Personally Sani2c has gone too large per race. Last year was the most amount of tents I have ever seen in 5 years. While I didn't have to wait on single track like going into the valley etc lots of people just a little further back were waiting. Not very nice.... One of the reasons I have decided not to do it again this year. Just not what it used to be 5 years ago. I suppose after 5 it is easy to opt out from doing it. Time for a new challenge
Mmmmmmm Clive I think we need to stop the Prinsloo's getting on the podium in the shorter races all the time..... Either they should be only allowed to enter the 70km (except the youngest one) or uncle is going to have to come to the rescue and beat them Big up to Wade and Kaylin for their wins I think mum and dad are too scared to race them now.
Now this is a mate. Saw this guy pushing his mates bike up on day 3. The mate was finished. My GF was cruizing up there in the front (feeling way better than she did the first year she did it). You are going to experience some rocks but nothing more than say VG or the Nek. The rest is smooth. Worry mor about the hills and the beer in take...... and those german tanks. GF felt like one had ridden over her in her sleep after day 2 on her first year she rode it.......
I rode the Dec holidays with RR snakeskins and not one priblem. Seemed to work well there, but i would not use those thinner RR tires. In stage racing it is always to rather use fairly strong tires. Nothing like cuts on your tires 3 days in a row.....
First year I did it, Day 3 was on my birthday. I took a beer up to every tower cracked it open and had some. Little warm and shaken about, but nothing like a bit of a celebration
